I just saw you pop into the "Notes" zoom call on Writers at Work. I loved your comment. And, then when I hit your feed, I saw "Man's Search for Meaning" as the pinned post today! ONE of my life altering books as well! WOW! This book also helped me shape my life!
Marc, this is a brilliant essay that truyl captures Victor Frankl, a man I've admired almost my entire life. I have also read and reread his book and Man's Search for Meaning many times. With each reading I learn more and I think about my life and my family more. Thank you for this invaluable review.
Having just read your Note about the Democrats’ deep bench (a point that also struck me last night, watching the convention speakers), it strikes me that all the young Dems I’ve heard have a Frankl perspective in common. It seems clear they live for “meaning.” Thank goodness.
A great observation, Tara. You make a stellar point. Thanks so much. I have three more essays “in the can” relating to the election that I will publish on my Substack.
Great essay! This book changed my life forever when I was given it by a priest in my Catholic High School in 1973. In 2007 I released a CD of original songs called 'Manufactured Meaning' as a gentle nod to Frankl's impact on my life, my art, and my spiritual path. Such a profound insight born of experience. My wife's father spent 9 years in a Soviet Gulag at the end of WW2 and he emerged with profound insight, wisdom and compassion. We owe a debt to people like Frankl for 'manufacturing meaning' from the hardest of circumstances.
Thanks your your comment. I read the book when I was 57. I just read it at age 77. It seems totally different because I am able to read it through the prism of two more decades of experiences.
Donna, Frankl teaches us that between stimulus and response there lies a space. It is in that space that you can choose how to respond, and you have free will to make that choice. This is a very important concept that has helped me, and it can help you. I am writing a follow up essay that addresses this very point.
Viktor Frankl could have been hopeless in the concentration camps including the death camp of Auschwitz. But he chose how he would react even when he was being beaten close to death. He came to understand that if he lived a life of meaning, he might survive. We need to intentionally choose to live a life of meaning. I think you will be inspired by his book like I have been.
Thank you for writing an insightful piece about Frankl and his inspirational book. It’s a wonderful book and an elegant philosophy and thanks also for sharing your story about how his writings impacted your life.
I just saw you pop into the "Notes" zoom call on Writers at Work. I loved your comment. And, then when I hit your feed, I saw "Man's Search for Meaning" as the pinned post today! ONE of my life altering books as well! WOW! This book also helped me shape my life!
Marc, this is a brilliant essay that truyl captures Victor Frankl, a man I've admired almost my entire life. I have also read and reread his book and Man's Search for Meaning many times. With each reading I learn more and I think about my life and my family more. Thank you for this invaluable review.
Thanks for your very kind words, Allan.
They are not kind words, they are the truth.
Having just read your Note about the Democrats’ deep bench (a point that also struck me last night, watching the convention speakers), it strikes me that all the young Dems I’ve heard have a Frankl perspective in common. It seems clear they live for “meaning.” Thank goodness.
A great observation, Tara. You make a stellar point. Thanks so much. I have three more essays “in the can” relating to the election that I will publish on my Substack.
OOps, not I also read, I have read Man's Search for Meaning multiple times.
I worked with cancer patients and recommended this book to many patients and colleagues. It should be required reading.
Great essay! This book changed my life forever when I was given it by a priest in my Catholic High School in 1973. In 2007 I released a CD of original songs called 'Manufactured Meaning' as a gentle nod to Frankl's impact on my life, my art, and my spiritual path. Such a profound insight born of experience. My wife's father spent 9 years in a Soviet Gulag at the end of WW2 and he emerged with profound insight, wisdom and compassion. We owe a debt to people like Frankl for 'manufacturing meaning' from the hardest of circumstances.
Thanks your your comment. I read the book when I was 57. I just read it at age 77. It seems totally different because I am able to read it through the prism of two more decades of experiences.
Donna, Frankl teaches us that between stimulus and response there lies a space. It is in that space that you can choose how to respond, and you have free will to make that choice. This is a very important concept that has helped me, and it can help you. I am writing a follow up essay that addresses this very point.
Viktor Frankl could have been hopeless in the concentration camps including the death camp of Auschwitz. But he chose how he would react even when he was being beaten close to death. He came to understand that if he lived a life of meaning, he might survive. We need to intentionally choose to live a life of meaning. I think you will be inspired by his book like I have been.
Thank you for writing an insightful piece about Frankl and his inspirational book. It’s a wonderful book and an elegant philosophy and thanks also for sharing your story about how his writings impacted your life.